2014-04-16 13:00:43 CEST

2014-04-16 13:01:44 CEST


REGULATED INFORMATION

Finnish English
Raisio - Company Announcement

Raisioagro to focus its operations with emphasis on innovation


Raisio plc, Stock Exchange Release, 16 April 2014, at 2 p.m.

RAISIOAGRO TO FOCUS ITS OPERATIONS WITH EMPHASIS ON INNOVATION

Due to production and financial reasons, Raisioagro has begun statutory
cooperation negotiations as part of its programme related to the identification
of new growth potential and improvement of operations and profitability. With
the arrangement, Raisioagro aims to focus its resources on areas in which the
added value created through new business and product innovations is the
highest. The priority areas are, above all, cattle feeds and fish feeds. In
addition, Raisioagro will focus on export activity to the neighbouring
countries, particularly in feeds for fish and cattle. 

The competitive situation in Finland has intensified due to new operators and
additional capacity built in the industry while farm sizes are growing and
livestock farms are transferring from complete feeds to component feeding.
Sales volume in Raisioagro's pig and poultry feeds has decreased and
profitability weakened due to years of intense price competition. 

Raisioagro started cooperation negotiations concerning all functions, excluding
the Ylivieska-based feed factory producing cattle feeds as well as sales of
fish feeds and feed export. For pig and poultry feeds, the company will examine
alternatives to reduce, terminate or sell the business. Approximately 150
employees are in scope of the negotiations and the possible reduction need is
estimated to be 50 persons. The negotiations are expected to be completed
before the Midsummer. 

Jarmo Puputti, Raisioagro's Managing Director, says the company will carefully
assess the operating environment and future success factors. Raisioagro aims to
provide added value to the customers through cost-effective operations and
investments in feeding expertise and in product range that meets customer
needs. Raisioagro will develop and productise innovations that help improve the
efficiency and profitability of livestock production and crop growing. 

RAISIO PLC



Heidi Hirvonen
Communications and IR Manager
tel. +358 50 567 3060



Further information:
Jarmo Puputti, Managing Director, Raisioagro, tel. +358 50 352 8740



Raisio Group briefly

Raisio plc is an international specialist in plant-based nutrition. Raisio's
operations are divided into two divisions: Brands and Raisioagro. The Group's
key market areas are Finland, Great Britain, the Czech Republic, Russia,
Ukraine, Poland, Estonia and Sweden. Raisio plc's shares are listed on NASDAQ
OMX Helsinki Ltd. In 2013, the Group's net sales totalled EUR 558 million and
EBIT was EUR 39 million. The Group employs some 1,900 people. Raisio's
best-known brands are Benecol, Honey Monster, Elovena, Fox's, Dormen, Juicee
Gummee, Poppets and Benemilk. 





Distribution
NASDAQ OMX
Key media
www.raisio.com